Advanced Sustainability of the Built Environment

Why study Advanced Sustainability of the Built Environment at Dundee?

How can the sector play its part in reducing its global impact, and what are the challenges that we face now and in the future? Architects, planners, engineers, regulators and clients still have much to learn in relation to sustainability concepts, criteria, design quality, and measurement. The management of sustainability requires reconciling the differing perceptions of the various stakeholders in the development process and building shared approaches to realising an improved environment.

The MSc Advanced Sustainability of the Built Environment aims to meet such needs. This programme is uniquely designed to provide a holistic understanding of sustainable architecture and urban development.

"An interdisciplinary course, with a holistic and up to date approach to sustainability that has allowed me to not only amplify my knowledge in the field, but also gave me the "tools" to develop my own ideas and the flexibility needed to choose my own path. The quality of the course was also enhanced by all the visiting speakers that provided us with expert knowledge."
Denise Melo, MSc (with merit), 2011

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The MSc Advanced Sustainability of the Built Environment is a multi-disciplinary programme of postgraduate study aiming to equip learners with essential new perspectives and capabilities needed for sustainability applications in the built environment. Its creative approach to interdisciplinary working helps participants to understand the holistic nature of sustainability in the built environment "from cradle to cradle".

It emphasises the skills and technologies needed in planning, design, construction and management of sustainable built environments which meet changing environmental, socio-cultural, technological and economic needs. These are essential criteria in order to provide a full understanding of sustainability implications in the built environment process.

• The course takes a holistic approach to issues surrounding the sustainability of the built environment covering topics from Macro (Urban Planning) to Micro perspective (Environmental Design)

This unique multi-disciplinary programme is designed to provide a holistic knowledge of the sustainable built environment.

• Leading academics and practitioners in sustainable building and urban development will collaborate on delivery to demonstrate how sustainability thinking on a national and international level
• The programme is suitable for architects, engineers, planners, regulators and facilities managers
• Emphasis is placed on skills and technologies for sustainable design, construction and management to meet changing environmental, socio-cultural, technological and economic needs

The programme has been designed to enable students to specialise in one of three areas:

• Intelligent buildings: strategic design and management
• Sustainability in contemporary cities
• Zero-carbon and low energy housing development: strategies, challenges and design

"The curriculum for the course is holistic in its approach to the subject matter and gives you a wider panoramic vision to the sustainable development. One of the prominent aspects of this course is the faculty, which is highly experienced and represent different subject backgrounds."
Shabari Shaily, MSc (with merit), 2011

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This course is relevant for individuals who plan, design, build, commission, maintain or manage such environment. These include:

• Architects
• Engineers
• Planners and Developers
• Regulators/surveyors
• Clients
• Facilities managers
• Construction managers
• Research students
• Research and development organisations
• Consultants, contractors and manufacturers

The video below shows MSc students undertaking a study of the town of Crieff as part of their coursework.

"This course is ... fixed enough to understand sustainability of the built environment and flexible enough to find your own way through it. It gives you the chance to develop a personal view about sustainability, in a framework of up to date ideas and approaches, with the help of loads of external speakers and workshops."
Amer Alwarea, MSc

• All Architecture Courses